119th Congress
Subramanyam Urges Consideration of New Golden to Mars Route Along Route 606
Subramanyam: “We've been faced with a false choice”
WASHINGTON, DC– U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) released the below statement in support of building the Golden to Mars power line predominantly along Route 606 instead of on school or residential property. Congressman Subramanyam had been informed that this route was not possible because of opposition from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). But after intervening by sending a letter to NOAA and meeting with NOAA Administrator Dr. Neil Jacobs, Rep. Subramanyam feels confident NOAA would work with the community to build Golden to Mars along its property.
Congressman Subramanyam issued the following statement:
“We’ve been faced with a false choice: build Golden to Mars power lines on residential property or build them on school property. Both options would be harmful to our community. When I asked whether there was an alternative option along Route 606, I was told that federal agencies like NOAA would oppose building them along their property.
So after sitting down with Administrator Jacobs to make our community’s concerns known and asking for NOAA to explore working with the community, I am confident that the Administrator and his team will explore and even support allowing an alternative Golden to Mars route along their property.
Our community has made its opposition to the current proposals known. So, if we aren't going to underground these lines, I urge the utility company, local and state officials, and the State Corporation Commission to come back to the table and make Route 606 the choice for the Golden to Mars transmission project.
We must consider every option possible, particularly if it can help mitigate harm to our schools and residents. These Golden to Mars deliberations have caused too much pain and the proposed routes will create too much harm to generations of Loudoun residents. We must prioritize giving this option a look instead of endless litigation and fights.”
Last week, Congressman Subramanyam asked NOAA for information about the potential new Golden to Mars route and whether it was ever asked for guidance on Route 606. The 606 route would bring the transmission lines down Old Ox Road and not through neighborhoods.
Rep. Subramanyam Bipartisan Small Business Bill Unanimously Passes the House
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10)’s bipartisan bill, the Federal Improvement in Technology (FIT) Procurement Act (H.R. 4123), has unanimously passed the House of Representatives. It now heads to the U.S. Senate.
“In the fight for government efficiency, we have long needed modernized federal systems. By allowing federal agencies to move faster to purchase innovative technologies and not be delayed by outdated cost thresholds, we can encourage small businesses to contract with the government and save the government money. This is commonsense legislation, and I’m glad it unanimously passed the House,” said Congressman Subramanyam.
The bill, introduced with Congressman Eric Burlison (R-MO), will streamline federal procurement of technology, make it easier for small businesses to participate in federal contracting, and save millions in taxpayer dollars annually.
View the full bill text here.
Rep. Subramanyam’s Statement on State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill
WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) released the following statement after the House vote on the partisan National Security and Department of State government funding bill:
“As the War in Iran drags on for the 5th month, House Republicans pushed a funding bill to the floor for the State Department that further isolates our country.
It contains 20% less funding for our diplomatic and international development work and it doesn’t include any funding for UNICEF or the United Nations, which will allow our adversaries to fill in the gaps. It cuts $500 million for global health programs, including HIV/AIDS prevention and health security, which means we will see more outbreaks and deaths.
The House also voted on several partisan, ‘gotcha’ amendments but failed to take up bipartisan amendments. For instance, while we need to have a serious conversation about our financial support for Israel and other countries in the region given the Iran war, these amendments were poorly conceived and would have undermined peacebuilding programs and embassy operations.
My own amendments on humanitarian aid to Gaza as well as Sudan, USAID, and preventing corruption in foreign policy were all ruled out of order by House Republicans and did not even get a vote.
The Trump administration and House Republicans have been a complete failure on foreign policy.”
Rep. Subramanyam Stands with Neighbors on Fighting Golden to Mars Routes
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) issued the following statement after he was unable to attend the school board’s special meeting on the Golden to Mars transmission line routes due to votes in DC:
“As an Ashburn resident, I absolutely stand with my community against utility companies and data center overreach. I can’t believe we are at this point, and I encourage every level of government to fight back against these incursions on our community. That’s why I support a local data center moratorium and will keep pushing legislation to make the data centers pay to underground their own power.
We must also find an alternative route that won't hurt our residents and schools. At the federal level, I am going to do everything in my power to protect our community and consider alternatives like a potential Route 606 option.”
Rep. Subramanyam Rips Proposed Rule on Federal Financial Assistance
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) spoke out about his opposition to the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) proposed rule, “Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance.”
The Congressman issued the following statement:
“This rule is just another attempt to hijack taxpayer money to create loyalty tests to the President and divert money to his friends and family. This massive change will allow political appointees to deny federal grants based on political goals and favoritism, and it imposes fees, red tape, and restrictions on critical scientific research. These changes will only stifle innovation and undermine scientific research for generations to come while continuing to enrich the President and his cronies.”
Congressman Subramanyam sent a letter to OMB Director Russell Vought stating his strong opposition to the proposed rule and outlined several sections that are his primary concerns. These include:
- Section 200.205 will increase the administration’s ability to punish perceived political enemies by denying their federal funding, undermining the typically nonpartisan grantmaking process.
- Section 200.220 which will severely limit international scientific cooperation and collaboration.
- Section 200.340 would allow the administration the authority to cancel federal awards at any time for any reason and limit opportunities for grantees to appeal.
The comment period for this proposed rule closes tonight, July 13th at 11:59pm. It already has 292,000 comments. Residents are encouraged to submit their own comments here.
Rep. Subramanyam Statement on PWC Board of Supervisors’ Vote on Dulles Cloud South Project
LEESBURG, VA – U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) released the following statement after the Prince William Board of County Supervisors unanimously rejected the Dulles Cloud South project:
“I commend the Prince William County Board of Supervisors for making the right decision to reject the Dulles Cloud South project. This data center project would have been one of the largest in the world, encompassing the space of almost 750 football fields. Our community made it clear that the energy costs and water usage for a project of this size would be a disaster. The fight isn't over in our region when it comes to data center overreach, but the community has made it clear: when it comes to data centers, enough is enough.”
Rep. Subramanyam Urges SCC to Not Raise Dulles Greenway Tolls
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) is urging the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) to not allow a proposed toll hike on the Dulles Greenway, a 14-mile privately-owned, limited-access highway. The SCC recently held a hearing about increasing tolls from $5.80 to $6.75 during peak times and from $5.25 to $5.60 during off-peak hours.
“The Dulles Greenway is already too expensive because of price gouging and failed policies of the past. At a time when working families are facing rising costs, it’s vital that we continue to prevent toll operators from hiking prices on commuters and that we not render the road unusable. This request would materially discourage people from using the road,” Rep. Subramanyam said.
This is not the first time Toll Road Investors Partnership II (TRIP II) has attempted to raise tolls on the Dulles Greenway. The SCC denied a previous attempt to hike tolls, which would have cost Northern Virginia commuters an additional $1,150 annually. When Rep. Subramanyam served in the Virginia General Assembly, he passed legislation, HB 1832, which gave the SCC the authority to prevent toll increases that materially discourage use of the roadway. HB 1832 has been cited as a reason for the Commission denying toll increases.
Rep. Subramanyam is also the author of the Affordable Commutes Act, federal legislation to protect commuters from unreasonable toll prices and to lower costs for everyday drivers. The legislation directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to investigate the pricing practices of private toll roads and assess the potential for the federal government to purchase and transfer ownership of these roads to states.
You can read Rep. Subramanyam’s full letter to the SCC here.
The public comment period is open until August 12th. Residents are encouraged to submit their comments here.
Rep. Subramanyam Statement After Supreme Court Upholds Birthright Citizenship
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship in a 6-3 decision:
“I’m glad the courts recognized that President Trump’s birthright citizenship executive order was a blatant and unconstitutional attempt to strip citizenship from children of immigrants all across the country. These immigrants are folks who have served our country in so many ways and contributed to the success of our economy. And make no mistake: they are American.
We will continue to push for long overdue, commonsense immigration reform and fight this administration's blatant immigration overreach.”
Rep. Subramanyam Statement on KIDS Act Vote
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) released the following statement after voting NO on the Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act (H.R. 7757):
“I voted no on the KIDS Act because when it comes to keeping our kids safe online, we have to get it right. This bill leaves out several vital provisions to protect our kids including requirements that tech companies make reasonable design efforts to minimize harm to users. Social media and AI are changing rapidly, and we need our laws to keep up.”
Rep. Subramanyam’s Legislation to Create Data Center Energy Measurement Standards Heads to House Floor
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam’s (VA-10) bill, the Data Infrastructure Energy Measurement and Standards Act (H.R. 9372), passed the Science, Space and Technology Committee with a 34-1 vote. It now heads to the House floor for consideration. The legislation would create standardized energy measurements for data centers. Rep. Subramanyam recently spoke about this bill on the House floor.
“As more data centers are built across the country, we still lack a standard way to measure and discuss their energy and water use. Communities can’t make fully-informed decisions on where to put data centers and how to regulate them. This bill creates an accurate method for how much power and water these facilities use so we can understand their impact on our communities and protect them accordingly, ” Rep. Subramanyam said.
Rep. Subramanyam’s district is home to more than 300 data centers, with around 200 more planned to come online in the next few years. By 2028, data center energy consumption across the country could double or triple to account for 12% of all energy usage. Data centers also use an estimated 160 billion gallons of water per year. Yet right now, policy makers and communities lack standardized information about much energy and water data centers actually consume, and when and how they use electricity.
The Data Infrastructure Energy Measurement and Standards Act directs the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST), in coordination with the Department of Energy, to develop best practices and technical standards for measuring data center energy and water use. This will create a technical foundation for better electricity forecasting, improved resource management, and better infrastructure planning and data center siting.
U.S. Representatives Jay Obernolte (R-CA), and Valerie Foushee (D-NC) are also original sponsors of this legislation.
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